2021-2022 Wildlife Regulations - 2021-2022 YO LANDOWNERS ASSOCIATION (YOLA) - For the period of September 1, 2021, through August 31, 2022 - YO ...
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2021-2022 Wildlife Regulations
For the period of September 1, 2021, through August 31, 2022
2021-2022 YO LANDOWNERS ASSOCIATION (YOLA)
1|PageWILDLIFE REGULATIONS
FOR PURPOSES OF THESE REGULATIONS, THE TERM HARVEST AND HUNT ARE INTERCHANGEABLE
EACH VIOLATION OF A YOLA WILDLIFE REGULATION IS SUBECT TO FINE
1. The following laws, regulations and definitions apply to hunting on the YO Ranchlands. Included in
“hunting” are darting, trapping and other capture methods.
a. All Federal, State, Local, Texas Parks and Wildlife, and any other applicable laws/regulations
b. YOLA Wildlife Regulations in the2019 Declaration of Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions
(CCRs).
c. As used in this document, Landowner and “designated representative” are interchangeable but
mutually exclusive.
d. If a “designated representative” is named, he/she must be designated using the form provided
at YOLA’s website, http://yoranchlands.org)
e. If a “designated hunt master” is used, the owner understands that he/she is responsible to the
association for any violations by that person as if he/she him/herself had done them. This
includes any fines. If a “designated hunt master” is named, he/she must be designated using
the form provided at YOLA’s website. (http://yoranchlands.org)
f. The following YOLA annual regulations apply from September 1, 2021 thru August 31, 2022.
2. Landowners are also responsible for the conduct of each of their invited guests/hunters, not only while
on their property, but on the entirety of the YO Ranchlands.
3. Shooting of regulated animals is permitted ONLY from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour
after sunset.
4. Hunting, scouting, or shooting is NOT allowed off the Landowner’s property, in any developed road
easement, or within 90’ (Main) or 60’ (Secondary) of the center of YOLA roads. The term “scouting”
shall specifically include “spotlighting”.
5. Shooting across property lines is NOT allowed without prior written approval of the adjoining
Landowner.
6. Tracking of wounded animals off the Landowner’s property is NOT permitted until YOLA Security and
the adjoining Landowner have been contacted to request entry.
7. Landowners and/or Guests must make their vehicles, contents, permission form (if applicable) and
Texas State Hunting License available for inspection by Ranchlands Security upon request.
2|Page8. Harvest Tags:
a. Landowners who are considered a “Member in Good Standing” (dues paid, no outstanding fines)
will be issued a tag for each animal allowed to be hunted and harvested in accordance with these
Wildlife Regulations.
b. These one-part tags must be used to report the harvest. The tag must be filled out as soon as the
animal is taken and must remain with the animal. Tags for harvested animals must be deposited in
the harvest box at the entrance to the YO Ranchlands or the box located at the YOHQ gate at 4
corners when the animal leaves the Ranchlands, or within 24 hours after the animal was harvested.
c. NO animal controlled by these regulations may be harvested without having a tag deposited in
the harvest box. Tags for harvested animals must be deposited in the harvest box at the entrance of
the YO Ranchlands when the animal leaves the Ranchlands, or within 24 hours after the animal was
harvested.
d. Previous years’ tags are VOID after August 31, 2021 and must NOT be used.
9. HUNTING BY IMMEDIATE RELATIVES – Landowners or “designated representatives” or “designated
hunt master” are not required to be in residence when an immediate relative is hunting. An immediate
relative is defined as father/mother, brother/sister, or son/daughter.
a. The Landowner or “designated representative” or “designated hunt master” is responsible for the
hunters even if the Landowner is not present (see 2 above).
b. The Landowner or “designated representative” or “designated hunt master” must ensure the
immediate relatives are knowledgeable about safety, animal identification, hunting rules, harvest
tag protocol, property lines, etc.
c. A Permission form is required for this group.
d. Security does not need to be contacted prior to hunting, but the Permission form must be available
to Security upon request.
e. All Regulations in this document must be followed, including those dealing with Harvest tags.
10. HUNTING BY GUEST HUNTERS –Landowners or “designated representatives” or “designated hunt
master” are not required to be in residence when there are guest hunters (not immediate relatives),
subject to specific rules. Guest hunters are those that are hunting without any fees (direct or indirect)
being paid. Indirect fees would be those such as barter transaction (“I’ll trade you a sika hunt for
building me a fence”).
a. If the Landowner or “designated representative” or “designated hunt master” is not present:
• These guests MUST contact YOLA Security to register before hunting.
• These guests MUST have a Permission form and carry it on their person, making it available to
present to Security upon request.
b. In all cases;
• The Landowner or “designated representative” or “designated hunt master” must ensure that
guest hunters are knowledgeable about safety, animal identification, hunting rules, harvest tag
protocol, property lines, etc.
• All Regulations in this document must be following, including those dealing with harvest tags.
3|Page11. HUNTING BY FEE HUNTERS – Landowners or “designated representatives” or “designated hunt master”
are required to be always in residence (on their property) when there are fee hunters unless a
“designated hunt master” is named and a “designated hunt master” form has been filed with the
Wildlife Committee. That form can be found on the YOLA website. Fee hunters are those that contract
to hunt on a Landowner’s property for a fee (direct or indirect). Fee hunters must follow all rules listed
above for Guest Hunters, plus the following:
a. At least 30 days prior to any fee hunt, the Landowner or “designated representative” or
“designated hunt master” MUST submit to the YOLA President a copy of their liability insurance
policy for $1,000,000, showing YOLA as an “ADDITIONAL NAMED INSURED” under the policy.
Other insurance designations are not acceptable.
b. These guests MUST follow all rules of YOLA.
c. The Landowner’s property MUST be marked with four (4) foot tall posts every 100 feet, except
where there are roads, fences, utility poles, or where the property is otherwise marked in
accordance with Texas laws.
d. If a landowner leases his/her property to others for hunting, all rules concerning fee hunting
will apply, including the requirement that the Landowner, “designated representative’, or
“designated hunt master” be present during a hunt.
e. All Regulations in this document must be followed, including those dealing with harvest tags.
12. MULTIPLE HARVEST/HUNTS – Most Wildlife Regulations assume the traditional one rifle/one hunter
situation. Multiple harvests/hunts include other methods such as netting, trapping, and darting. If
multiple harvests/hunts are used.
a. A permit must be requested and obtained from the Wildlife Committee prior to the multiple
harvests/hunts. The Committee will issue permits after due consideration of pertinent facts,
including species to be harvested/hunted, location of the multiple harvest/hunts, and
experience of the harvester/hunter.
b. See Section 2 and 4 of the YOLA CCRs, reprinted later in this booklet, for additional
considerations relating to multiple harvests/hunts in general.
c. If YOLA is granted all financial proceeds from this multiple harvest/hunts, the animals taken will
not require tags. In all other cases, the animals taken will require tags. In either case, the
Landowner must still obtain prior approval and must notify the Wildlife Committee of the
number, species and sex of each animal taken within one week of completion of the multiple
harvest/hunts.
d. The Landowner, “designated representative” or the “designated hunt master” must be present
during any multiple harvests/hunts.
e. All liability arising from the multiple harvests/hunts rests with the Landowner.
f. A permit request form is available at http://yoranchlands.org.
If approved, subject to Section 12(a) above, a harvest tag must be provided for each YOLA
regulated animal taken in the multiple harvests/hunts.
13. ENFORCEMENT -- As per the CCRs, the Wildlife Committee can recommend to the YOLA Board, fines up
to $2,000 for each violation of these Regulations. The authority to collect any fine approved by the
Board is described in the CCRs.
4|PageYO LANDOWNERS 2021/2022
WILDLIFE QUOTAS
EFFECTIVE DATES: September 1, 2021 through August 31, 2022
YOLA regulated animals for the 2021 – 2022 YOLA hunting season are: Axis, Sika, Fallow, Blackbuck,
Whitetail, and Aoudad.
Each YOLA member who is a “member in good standing” will be issued tags as described in the tables below,
on the recommendation by the Wildlife Committee and approval of the Board after reviewing the annual
“Biologists Report and Harvest Recommendations”, and related factors.
YOLA QUOTAS Up to & >50 & up >100 & >150 &
NOTES ACREAGE Including to & up to & up to & Etc.
2021/2022 50 Including including including
100 150 200
QUOTA ½ 1 1½ 2
A Whitetail Buck
with antlers
outside the ears 1,2 1 2 3 4
AXIS DOE ,
SIKA Bucks & 3
Does OFF LIMITS
Whitetail Doe 1,2 2 4 6 8
Mature Whitetail
Spike 1,2 2 2 2 2
Blackbuck Doe 2 2 2 2 2
Fallow Doe 2 1 1 1 1
Aoudad Ram 1 2 3 4
Aoudad Ewe 1 2 3 4
ANY BUCK TAG NOTES Up to & including >200 and Greater than 400
200 Acres Up to & including Acres
400 Acres
Your choice of Fallow buck,
Blackbuck Buck or Axis 1 2 3
Buck 24” or greater
5|PageNOTES:
1. Harvesting of animals must be in accordance with Texas Parks and Wildlife regulations
2. Harvest of animals regulated by YOLA must be reported using YOLA issued tag. Tags MUST be dropped
collections box in a timely manner after harvesting an animal – see Wildlife Regulations, 8(b).
3. AXIS DOE and ALL SIKA (bucks and does) are OFF LIMITS for the 2021/2022 season.
Whitetail buck and doe Highest Priority
Blackbuck buck and doe
Fallow bucks and does
Axis Buck
Sika and Axis Doe OFF LIMITS
Observing these priorities will help optimize our population of exotic and native game,
Improve the overall health and quality of the herd, and provide good hunting and
viewing prospects for all Landowners.
Further defining quotas:
Quotas are based on the total number of acres owned by each landowner, not the number of tracts and the
acreage of each tract.
EXAMPLE:
Mr. X owns 2 tracts: Tract 22A is 51 acres and 22B is 60 acres. Total acres owned by Mr. X are 111 which
entitles him to 1 ½ quotas, not 2 quotas. NOTE: If several tracts are owned under different names or entities
but are essentially the same individual(s), the quota will be determined as in the “Mr. X” example above.
6|PageHIGHLIGHTS FROM CCRs
Note: These are excerpts from the various sections of the CCRs dealing with Hunting.
YOLA membership has approved fines of up to $2000 for each
violation of the Wildlife Regulations.
The Original text of the CCRs will apply if there are any discrepancies or omissions
between the original text and the following excerpts.
Section 2
k) Hunting Blinds and Feeders
1) Hunting blinds and feeders on any of the Properties shall be well screened behind hills or trees
to substantially eliminate visibility from any road or other owner’s permanent residence.
2) Hunting blinds and feeders must be at least 500 feet from the main road and at least 300 feet
from any property line or Secondary Road.
n) Hunting and Wildlife Management
It is the intent of the YOLA to actively manage the environment and the free ranging herds of both
native and exotic species through hunting and other methods of herd density control where hunting
alone does not sufficiently manage the population.
1) Hunting shall be permitted on Owner’s individual properties only. No hunting is allowed from any
Main or Secondary Road right of way.
2) Each Owner shall be entitled to harvest annually the quota of animals, whether native or exotic, on
such Owner’s Property as the Wildlife Committee determines as provided in Section 7 hereof.
Individual hunter’s state hunting license requirements and restrictions may also apply.
3) No Owner may harvest other than the aforementioned quota of animals. If an Owner desires to
harvest other than his quota of animals, he must secure prior approval of the Wildlife Committee
for same and pay to the Association, in cash, the amount which would be necessary to acquire
those animals.
4) Alternate Game Harvesting Methods
(a) Fee Hunting
In the event that an Owner desires to sell his game to a non-Owner hunter, the Owner must
supervise and accompany the hunter at all times. The Owner must provide prior satisfactory
proof of insurance to the Wildlife Committee.
7|Page(b) Approved Capture Methods
Owners may use approved capture methods, such as netting, darting, or trapping to secure
their quota.
(c) Licensed Meat Hunters
Owners may use licensed meat hunters from qualified companies to secure their quota.
(d) In the event (a), (b), (c) above is used, the following conditions must be met:
(1) A permit must be obtained from Wildlife Committee
(2) The Wildlife Committee must be notified of the exact date or dates and times for the
hunting or trapping operations. (Except (a) hereinafter);
(3) The Wildlife Committee may, at its discretion, have a representative present. (Except (a)
hereinafter);
(4) The Wildlife Committee shall be provided with a list at the end of each day’s activity
enumerating the species and sex of each animal taken. The Committee shall have the
right to physically verify this count.
(5) Professional hunters or trappers used must provide prior satisfactory proof of insurance
to the Wildlife Committee.
5) All disputes concerning specific Owner quotas on any of the Properties and any other wildlife
disputes shall be handled by the Wildlife Committee.
6) No Owners shall do any act that is designed to be harmful or injurious to the adjacent property
Owner. Included within the meaning of this covenant shall be a prohibition against feeding close to
a property line.
7) No Owner may release new species of live wild animals on any of the Properties without first
securing the consent of the Wildlife Committee.
Owners may introduce domestic or exotic species on their own property for
ranching/farming/hunting as long as the containment of, and health of, said animals are assured,
and the Wildlife Committee has inspected the containment methods and given their consent in
writing. These animals shall not be counted in the Owner’s quota while on his property.
To the extent that these animals escape or are allowed out of containment, the Association has no
obligation for any claims attributed to the escape.
8) No Owner may construct any section of High Fence after September 1, 2019. Any Owner whose
property is completely and permanently High Fenced prior to September 1, 2019, shall be excepted
from the provisions of paragraphs (n) 2 and 3 above.
8|PageSection 7
d) Wildlife Committee Duties
1) Wildlife Management
The Wildlife Committee shall be responsible for overseeing the management of the Free
roaming wildlife within the Properties.
(a) The Wildlife Committee shall have an annual wildlife survey (“Survey”) performed on the
Properties by a competent wildlife biologist (“Biologist”) selected by the Committee.
(b) The Survey shall project the total numbers of sex of each species of wildlife on the
Properties and shall contain the Biologist’s recommendations as to the harvest numbers by
sex for each species.
(c) The Wildlife Committee shall use the Survey and the Biologist’s recommendations to
determine harvest quotas by sex for each species on the Properties. Quotas shall be based
on what the Properties will sustain and any other criteria that the Wildlife Committee
deems to be sound management of the wildlife herd on the Properties.
2) Enforcement
The Wildlife Committee shall be responsible, under Board direction, for enforcing the wildlife
provisions of this Declaration on behalf of the Association.
3) Additional Rules and Regulations
The Committee may, from time to time, propose additional Rules and Regulations for wildlife
management that will be submitted to the Board for approval.
9|PageFREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
What happens if I’m stopped or caught with untagged animals or meat?
You will be treated as having violated the tag system and subject to fine.
Should I report dead animals I find?
Yes. Please phone or e-mail the Chairman of the Wildlife Committee or place a note in the tag box at
either entrance, because it will assist the Wildlife Biologist in helping us manage our game. Please note
the details of your observations. Of course, these do not require a tag.
I want to host a hunt for disadvantaged youths on my tract. How is this best done?
There are several organizations that sponsor these types of hunts and will accompany the youths after
they have given them training on safe hunting. Please contact a member of the Wildlife Committee for
assistance. Rules concerning “HUNTING BY GUEST HUNTERS” will apply, and in this case the animals
harvested/hunted by your guest youths WILL require a tag.
I will be participating in YOLA Wildlife Committee coordinated Youth Hunts as well as making my land
available for the Exotic Co-Op commercial meat harvesters. Do any of the animals taken in either of these
hunts require a tag?
No. But these animals will be included in the overall harvest data compiled by the Wildlife Committee
for reporting purposes.
Can I sell or give my hunting tags to someone else?
You can, only if they do the hunting on your property and abide by the normal hunting guidelines,
including the rules for Fee Hunting. See Section 11 of these “Wildlife Regulations”. You may not
transfer your tags to another Landowner.
Can I trap or remove animals from my property?
Yes. The removal of animals from your property may still require use of your tags. See specific rules for
“Multiple Harvests/Hunts” in Section 12 of these “Wildlife Regulations” and the CCRs
If I wound an animal and it crosses to my neighbor’s land, what should I do?
Absolutely do not cross over to your neighbor’s land without either contacting them or by requesting
assistance from the YOLA Security team.
Can I bring my dog to my land and let it run loose?
Certainly, your dog can run your property, but it is your responsibility to ensure that it does not cross
over onto the adjacent property. Also, Texas Parks and Wildlife regulations prohibit the use of dogs to
“hunt or pursue deer”.
10 | P a g eOne of my guests harvested an animal over my limit. What should I do?
Immediately contact the YOLA Wildlife Chairman or the YOLA President. You will be expected to
reimburse the Association as per the Wildlife Regulations but may avoid a fine.
I’d like to increase the income on my property. Can I sublease it?
Of course you can! It is your property. However, you should be aware, for the purposes of the CCRs,
you are personally and financially responsible for any and all violations occurring on that property and
that you must provide your tenant/lessee with either a “Designation of Representative” or a
“Designated Hunt Master” status to allow them to hunt on your property without you being present.
Any violations on the part of your tenant/lessee could subject you to fines and/or sanctions under our
governing documents. (See example at the end of this section)
After I butcher an animal, can I throw the remains in the YOLA trash trailer?
NO! The trash trailer is only for normal household trash. Animal carcasses invite racoons and other
scavengers that throw the other trash on the ground. Just take the animal remains to a remote
location on your land and leave them. After a few days, the natural scavengers will have completely
recycled them for you!
My neighbor has the feeder too close to my property line. What should I do?
Contact YOLA Security or the Wildlife Committee Chairman. Each possible rule infraction will be
investigated.
I hear shooting or see activity that makes me think the regulations are being violated. Who should I call?
Please contact YOLA Security or the Wildlife Committee Chairman. Each possible rule infraction will be
investigated.
May I give my tags to another Landowner for their use on their property?
No. You may allow other Landowners to use your tags on your property but not on other property. The
tags are issued specifically to your property and are not transferable.
I will be having hunters on my property and they will be hunting in my blinds by themselves. I will be on the
property, but they will be hunting alone. Do they need a Permission Form?
Yes. And they also need it on their person when they leave your property, as they may be stopped by
Security and will need to have the permit available if requested.
A contractor on my cabin is an avid hunter. Can I let him hunt?
Yes, using the rules for “Guest Hunters”. This assumes, of course, that there is no financial agreement
for this hunt. Please be aware that even a subtle agreement for a future discount on more contract
work clearly makes this a “Fee Hunt” and those rules then apply.
11 | P a g eThe Wildlife Regulations discuss violations and the resulting fines in terms of “per occurrence”. What does
this mean?
Example of violation and potential fine:
A Landowner is out of town and told a friend he can enter his property and take a sika buck. The friend
comes to the ranch with no paperwork, takes a sika buck, and is stopped in a random wildlife check.
Possible results for the Landowner are:
1) Did not notify YOLA Security: fine up to $2,000
2) Did not have YOLA Permission form: fine up to $2,000
3) Did not have YOLA Tag on animal: fine up to $2,000
4) Did not put YOLA Harvest Tag in box: fine up to $2,000
Total Potential Fine to Landowner $8,000
The Landowner can appeal to the Wildlife Committee or the Board for extenuating circumstances; that
process is described in the CCRs.
In a worst-case scenario, this activity could result in an $8000 fine. Our goal is “No violations, no fines”
What is meant by the reference to “marking property in accordance with Texas law” in paragraph 117?
The section referred to is the “purple poles” section of the Texas Penal Code (Title 7, Chapter 30,
Section 30.05, and (b2d)). This can be found on the internet at:
http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/docs/PE/htm/PE.30.htm
12 | P a g eYou can also read
